As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

Let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell
in you richly.

Colossians 3. 15, 16

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Gathering 

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Collect for Today 

Almighty God,
you have shed upon us the new light
of your incarnate Word.
May this light, enkindled in our hearts,
shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

Luke 2. 41–52

May the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord.  Amen.

" Where is He? " 

I am sure we can all imagine what Mary and Joseph were feeling.

They had been on the road for a short time, and suddenly they noticed Jesus is missing!

Some of us have been there! Here, in the midst of the Christmas markets, Flo and I are reminded of the moment it happened to us!

We’re in a market with the tables covered in cloths draping down to the floor, and suddenly—Catherine is missing!

Well—you can imagine! And so, we’re looking and looking and looking, and of course, quietly calling out her name because we did not want to cause a commotion amongst the community.

And when all of a sudden, with a big smile—this lovely face peered out from under the table and said, “Here I am!”

Things happen from time to time.

Today, we have two instances with children from the Scriptures.

In the first, Samuel. In this instance, the parents have willingly left their infant child at the Temple. Eli, the temple priest assures Elkanah and Hannah that they will take good care of him, and he thanks them for loaning their child to the voice of God.

One fact we often overlook though, is that each year, Hannah would return, giving thanks for her child, and bringing a new garment.

The second incident differs.

In this situation, Jesus is now an adolescent.

His family have joined with the thousands of people now leaving Jerusalem after the Passover. They go a day’s journey, and Jesus obviously has not appeared for supper.

You can imagine! They’re frantic!

They return to Jerusalem and find him—quite comfortable—in the house of our Lord, in the Temple, sharing with the community of leaders.

Obviously, at this early age, Jesus has a special calling.

To digress for a moment, I must say I am impressed. I think of myself, starting to teach Sunday School at about 14. I am not so sure my peers were amazed at my answers as it is suggested in Luke’s gospel that they were with Jesus'.

In a few days, we are going to find ourselves travelling with the Magi, searching for Jesus.

I am sure—most are familiar with the bumper sticker: ‘Wise Men Seek Him’.

Truth is: They still do!

This celebrates the theme of my title for today: Where is Jesus?

I find the question challenging.

On the one hand, I could say many people have no idea! I am not sure that is a personal, or a pastoral response.

Second, I could say, Jesus is alive and well—in many families. With the witness of Facebook, seeing the pictures circulating from Christmas Eve reveals a very positive picture and witness of Jesus: not missing, but present!

At the same time, statisticians witness many people are not looking.

Reading the interpretation of one theologian, he painted a very negative picture of our society. Myself, being the eternal optimist, that I am often pictured as being (which I am okay with that), I differ. 

At the same time, the truth is that when without faith, we are like the lady in one of Tennessee Williams’ plays.

In that play, Williams has this lady sitting at a table in the garden, working on a puzzle. As her frustration increases, her mental state becomes more evident, and with tense arms, pieces of the puzzle begin to fall to the ground.

Growing more frustrated, she is seen attempting to force the pieces where they will not fit. Getting more agitated, she finally calls the family for help.

“The pieces don’t fit together! The pieces don’t fit together! Come! Help me! I need help!”

But the truth is: without a faith path, we are in a similar situation.

The pieces of life don’t fit together for us.

In many ways, Williams is describing life without faith.

For us as Christians, it is life without Christ.

The bigger question is: When, and where, do we search for Christ?

Had I kept a clear and disciplined journal over the past 30+ years—actually it is more like about the past 50 years—just the other day, Flo and I were talking about some of those questions and people asking. And this is all caught up in the conversation between a job and a vocation, or we might call, “a calling.”

I digress. 

But I want to witness with you is that people—wise people—still search for Jesus.
 
Recently, a troubled person joined me on a walk, asking such questions about faith and the journey of life.

In his search for that which was missing in his life, it took us two trips around the block, rather than just one, to come to discover what he was in search of.

Many search. It is like writing a book, they say the best way to write a book is to start. 
    
The best way to find faith is to start. Don’t delay.

If Jesus is missing from your life, when shall we start searching? Tomorrow? Next month? Next year?

‘According to an old legend, when the Magi were following the star of Bethlehem, they came to the house of a certain woman.

They said to her, "Come with us! We have seen his star in the east, and we are going up to meet him."

"Oh," she said, "I would love to go. I heard that he would be coming one day, and I have been looking forward to it. But I can't come now. I’ve got too much to do! My house is not in order; then I will follow you and find him."

But when her work was done, the wise men were out of sight; the star shone no more in the heavens; and she never saw him.’ 

- W. Herschel Ford, SIMPLE SERMONS FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, Zondervan.

There is a lesson here.

The truly vital matters of life are not to be put off.

Where is he, here; Jesus is everywhere. 

Two weeks ago, Jesus was found in the Joy Bags, Rev. Trish shared with some of the clients she serves; in 400 lbs of potatoes; in the kitchen with the people preparing them; for some. with a walk in the woods; or looking out into the sky on a quiet evening; in the parish churches, and yes, here in this yard with this wonderful display of Christmas; at the Christmas Bazaar, people speak of enjoying the gift of receiving and sharing in hospitality.

Or as Paul shared with us today in his letter to the people of Colossae. (Ch 3. 12-14)

‘Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.’

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

In joy and humility let us pray to the creator of the universe, 
saying, “Lord, grant us peace.”

By the good news of our salvation brought to Mary by the 
angel,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the mystery of the Word made flesh,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.  

By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the manifestation of the King of glory to the shepherds and 
magi,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the submission of the maker of the world
to Mary and Joseph,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace.

By the baptism of the Son of God in the river Jordan,
hear us, O Lord.
Lord, grant us peace. Amen.

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

May that true Source of truth and joy
be found by each one of us in this time,
and each day of our lives. Amen.

The Blessing: 
The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always. 
 Amen.